Grizzly bears switch to eating moths...Would Michelle O approve?

Grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone eat as many as 266 different plant and animal species. Now, these bears have to make an extra effort for their food as their major sources of food, Yellowstone cutthroat trout and whitebark pine nuts, have disappeared. Lately, it has been observed that more number of endangered grizzly bears is found at the southeastern part of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. A novel study has found that they are found frequenting in that area for the search of army cutworm moths. The study findings are important, as a decline has been witnessed in other food sources of these bears. Frank van Manen, of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team in Bozeman, said that a rise has been seen in the use of the moth sites in the past three years. The study researchers have carried out 29 moth surveys inside the 9,210 square-mile area. After doing so, the researchers found the small bugs, which are rich in fat and protein. These bugs are favorite of these hungry bears. The researchers found as many as 470 grizzly bears roaming near the 29 moth sites and 220 were found at these sites this year alone. Out of them, 19 were females and their cubs. Since the 1980s, the researchers have officially recognized these sites and have been closely observing for moth areas within Yellowstone...more

Wonder how long until the moths are on the endangered list too.